Kings Rally to Win Final Exhibition Game, 5-3

The L.A. Kings exploded for four goals in the third period--three in a minute and a half--to beat the Calgary Flames, 5-3, at the Forum Sunday night in their final exhibition game.

The Kings (3-4) were down 3-0 in the second period when right winger Dave Taylor got his first goal of the night. The Kings went on score four unanswered goals in front of 5,712 fans.

The Flames had been undefeated in the exhibition season and held a 7-1 advantage over the Kings last season. The difference Sunday was the Kings’ ability to kill penalties, a sore point last season.

The Kings started slowly, taking numerous shots but coming away with nothing. They took 13 shots in the first period to the Flames’ 5. The Flames, however, made their shots count, scoring on 2 of the 5.

Calgary scored first when defenseman Joe Mullen scored at 10:18. The Flames scored again when Steve Bozek floated in from the right side of the net and shot from the left.

Bozek scored the Flames’ last goal, 5:14 into the second period. Taylor’s goal made it 3-1 entering the third period.

The Kings came out of the locker room a changed group. Grant Ledyard scored from the top of the slot with only 51 seconds gone and, 28 seconds later, rookie Jimmy Carson scored to tie the score, 3-3.

Bernie Nicholls brought the puck alone across the blue line and scored a straight-ahead goal to give the Kings the lead for good.

Taylor scored his second goal on a power play at 13:28.

The Kings open the regular season at home Thursday night against the St. Louis Blues.